Deron Williams says winning is most important factor in free agency, Nets in the fold

Aristide Economopoulos/The Star-LedgerNets star Deron Williams talks about his season and the future of him with the team.

With the Nets’ season over, Deron Williams repeated Friday what he has said all along about his impending free agency: that the chance to win will be the sole thing that determines where he signs his new contract, and yes, the Nets have as good a chance to land his services as anybody.

“I want to win, that’s first and foremost,’’ the Nets point guard said at the team’s breakup day Friday. “So I’m going to go where I feel we have the best chance to win. I know we might not win a championship in the first year or two, but hopefully, (the place I go) has the chances of building something special, and has flexibility — just somewhere where I believe they’re headed in the right direction.’’

Williams said he could “definitely’’ see himself in a Nets uniform next season when the team moves into its new arena in downtown Brooklyn.

“I’m still looking at all the possibilities here,’’ he said. “I went to the arena a couple days ago and saw how it was, and it’s going to be an exciting arena. It’s going to be a great place to play. And I’ve always been confident in this organization. Even though I was opting out I always said that doesn’t mean I’m not re-signing with the Nets; and that still remains the same.’’

Williams said he is in no rush to make a decision, but he will want to do so before he leaves for the Summer Olympics. Training camp for the U.S. men’s basketball team begins July 6 in Las Vegas. Free agency starts July 1.

The Nets have work to do in putting their team together for next season. Williams is undoubtedly their top priority, but only four of the 15 players are under contract for next season. Three players — Williams, Gerald Wallace and Jordan Farmar — have player options for next season; seven are unrestricted free agents and one, Brook Lopez, is a restricted free agent.

Wallace and Farmar have not gone public, as Williams has, with their intent to opt for free agency. But Wallace, whom the Nets acquired at the March 15 trade deadline from Portland for Mehmet Okur, Shawne Williams and a first-round pick, sounds as if he wants to become a free agent.

“I don’t want to play on a one-year deal, so I think our main thing is try to get something solid, as far as four or five years, where I can be stable and in a position to call a team or a city home,’’ Wallace said.

Wallace has until June 13 to opt out of the last year of his contract, which would pay him $9.5 million. He said he and his agent, Rob Pelinka, will discuss their options next week.

The 6-7 Wallace, who averaged 15.2 points and 6.8 rebounds in 15 games with the Nets, said he would like to return, as did Kris Humphries, who led the team in games and minutes played, and averaged 13.8 points and 11 rebounds per game.

“This is really the place I want to be,’’ Lopez said. “I was drafted here ... I love being a Net. It’s the only thing I know. I like everyone in the organization. I have good friends here. I’ve enjoyed my time in this area, and would have no objections at all to continuing to be here.’’